Danielle S.
6/23/2011
Jun 25, 2011
6.23.2011
Getting ready to go out and celebrate my 27th birthday!
Confidence and self-esteem booming!
Quick Update
May 11, 2011
Hey everyone!
I haven't had time to update my profile lately as things have been kind of crazy. I'm just going to do a quick update for you.
I'm currently down to about 232 pounds... as you remember, I started at 309 and the day of surgery I was 303, so I'm doing excellent! It's been about 3 1/2 months since surgery, so I am well on my way to lose 100 pounds in 6 months! That is my goal... my ultimate goal is to weigh 155 pounds.
I've been doing a lot better with not snacking! Though I've learned some things don't sit well with me sometimes. One night we had ham for dinner (baked with pineapple) and for some reason it didn't sit right. Maybe I didn't chew enough.
My other issue I was having was finding items to eat for breakfast, because at the moment I can't cook eggs or anything. I really only have the option of having cereal, toast, muffin, etc due to our current living situation (which I'm not going to discuss right now). So we don't have a stove to cook things otherwise I wouldn't have an issue with breakfast. Usually I can eat half a bagel with cream cheese, but I really don't like eating that EVERYday because it gets old, lol.
I did want to share a really good drink I found recently. Since we can't do soda or juices (too much sugar!)... I was trying to find something with FLAVOR, because I was getting tired and bored with drinking water. I know there is Crystal Light, but I only like about 2 flavors so that gets old fast too LOL... Anyway... POWERADE ZERO! No calories and no sugar! It's amazing. I get the fruit punch flavor. It also helps because it's hot here in FL so it's replacing electrolytes I'm losing in my sweat, hahah.
I hope all my ladies out there are doing great! Sorry I haven't been in touch. I hope you are all doing well.
2 comments
I haven't had time to update my profile lately as things have been kind of crazy. I'm just going to do a quick update for you.
I'm currently down to about 232 pounds... as you remember, I started at 309 and the day of surgery I was 303, so I'm doing excellent! It's been about 3 1/2 months since surgery, so I am well on my way to lose 100 pounds in 6 months! That is my goal... my ultimate goal is to weigh 155 pounds.
I've been doing a lot better with not snacking! Though I've learned some things don't sit well with me sometimes. One night we had ham for dinner (baked with pineapple) and for some reason it didn't sit right. Maybe I didn't chew enough.
My other issue I was having was finding items to eat for breakfast, because at the moment I can't cook eggs or anything. I really only have the option of having cereal, toast, muffin, etc due to our current living situation (which I'm not going to discuss right now). So we don't have a stove to cook things otherwise I wouldn't have an issue with breakfast. Usually I can eat half a bagel with cream cheese, but I really don't like eating that EVERYday because it gets old, lol.
I did want to share a really good drink I found recently. Since we can't do soda or juices (too much sugar!)... I was trying to find something with FLAVOR, because I was getting tired and bored with drinking water. I know there is Crystal Light, but I only like about 2 flavors so that gets old fast too LOL... Anyway... POWERADE ZERO! No calories and no sugar! It's amazing. I get the fruit punch flavor. It also helps because it's hot here in FL so it's replacing electrolytes I'm losing in my sweat, hahah.
I hope all my ladies out there are doing great! Sorry I haven't been in touch. I hope you are all doing well.
9 Weeks (and a few days) POST Op
Apr 03, 2011
I see it's been almost 2 months since my last update... It seems like so long ago, but at the same time it seems to have gone by so fast. A lot has changed in those 7 weeks.
I'm now living in Florida and I love it here. The weather is amazing, which I think is why I'm always in a great mood, lol. No more snow (I'm originally from upstate NY). I'm also still losing weight. The last time I stepped on the scale was Friday morning and I was 257.4... so that's a loss of like 45 pounds since surgery.. however, TOTAL I've lost 51 pounds or something like that.
My clothes are starting to get too big, lol. I've also noticed that when I walk my thighs don't really rub together anymore. That always used to be an issue for me and it would get rather painful especially on hot days (those that have been there know what I'm talking about).
My one big issue and the main reason I feel I'm not losing as much weight as I want, is that I find myself SNACKING. Ugh! Hello!!! That's how I got to be fat in the first place... eating too much. My food choices could also be better... I've found that I don't really dump. I've eaten cookies and cake since surgery and it doesn't make me sick. Now I see why people say they wish it does, because it's like you know you could eat it.... I DON'T WANT TO SNACK ANYMORE! I eat like 2-3 small snacks a day on top of eating 3 meals... that's just too much eating.
If anything I'd like to have just 1 snack a day, preferably after dinner because that's when I find myself scrounging for something tasty.
Also - I need DRINK ideas. I love water and I've done sugar free grape kool-aid and pink lemonade.. but I need something different. hELP!
Oh and I found a great bariatric recipe website... I've made one really great recipe off there and it was so amazing. Even my family/friends that haven't had surgery loved it and never even knew I found it on a bariatric website. It's a recipe for Cheeseburger Pie! I will share that recipe at another time.
I'd love to write more but I need to go take a shower. :)
3 comments
I'm now living in Florida and I love it here. The weather is amazing, which I think is why I'm always in a great mood, lol. No more snow (I'm originally from upstate NY). I'm also still losing weight. The last time I stepped on the scale was Friday morning and I was 257.4... so that's a loss of like 45 pounds since surgery.. however, TOTAL I've lost 51 pounds or something like that.
My clothes are starting to get too big, lol. I've also noticed that when I walk my thighs don't really rub together anymore. That always used to be an issue for me and it would get rather painful especially on hot days (those that have been there know what I'm talking about).
My one big issue and the main reason I feel I'm not losing as much weight as I want, is that I find myself SNACKING. Ugh! Hello!!! That's how I got to be fat in the first place... eating too much. My food choices could also be better... I've found that I don't really dump. I've eaten cookies and cake since surgery and it doesn't make me sick. Now I see why people say they wish it does, because it's like you know you could eat it.... I DON'T WANT TO SNACK ANYMORE! I eat like 2-3 small snacks a day on top of eating 3 meals... that's just too much eating.
If anything I'd like to have just 1 snack a day, preferably after dinner because that's when I find myself scrounging for something tasty.
Also - I need DRINK ideas. I love water and I've done sugar free grape kool-aid and pink lemonade.. but I need something different. hELP!
Oh and I found a great bariatric recipe website... I've made one really great recipe off there and it was so amazing. Even my family/friends that haven't had surgery loved it and never even knew I found it on a bariatric website. It's a recipe for Cheeseburger Pie! I will share that recipe at another time.
I'd love to write more but I need to go take a shower. :)
2 Weeks Post Op
Feb 12, 2011
So yesterday marked my 2 weeks post op! I can't believe it's been 2 weeks. Somedays it feels like it's been longer, and other days it seems to just drag on.
I've been doing well with my meal plan, despite wanting to eat "regular" food again. That's just all in my head I've realized, because there will be times I'm not even hungry, but I will want the food my husband is eating. I know others have been there. Monday I go for my first check up with the surgeon since I've had my surgery and I'm sure he will be pleased with my weight loss.
My starting weight was 309.4... then I started a 3 day pre-op liquid diet, bringing me down to 303.8 the morning of surgery. Last week I was at 291.2 and then yesterday, on my 2 week marker, I weighed in at 281! That's a loss of 24.2 pounds since surgery, and 28.4 pounds total! I'm really proud of myself, despite getting down about not being able to eat regular food, but I will be there soon enough.
Today I can have 1/2 a scrambled egg, tuna fish, 1-2 small crackers and really toasted bread (1/4- 1/2 piece). I haven't attempted ot eat yet (it's 11:31am here on the east coast)... but I think I am going to try half an egg and see how it sits with me.
Thanks for everyone who reads my blog!
2 comments
I've been doing well with my meal plan, despite wanting to eat "regular" food again. That's just all in my head I've realized, because there will be times I'm not even hungry, but I will want the food my husband is eating. I know others have been there. Monday I go for my first check up with the surgeon since I've had my surgery and I'm sure he will be pleased with my weight loss.
My starting weight was 309.4... then I started a 3 day pre-op liquid diet, bringing me down to 303.8 the morning of surgery. Last week I was at 291.2 and then yesterday, on my 2 week marker, I weighed in at 281! That's a loss of 24.2 pounds since surgery, and 28.4 pounds total! I'm really proud of myself, despite getting down about not being able to eat regular food, but I will be there soon enough.
Today I can have 1/2 a scrambled egg, tuna fish, 1-2 small crackers and really toasted bread (1/4- 1/2 piece). I haven't attempted ot eat yet (it's 11:31am here on the east coast)... but I think I am going to try half an egg and see how it sits with me.
Thanks for everyone who reads my blog!
Cheeseburger Pie
Feb 06, 2011
Vegetable Cooking Spray
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green papper
1 tablespoon olive oil (use ONLY if you are using veggie meat)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
1/3 cup crushed cheese or buttery crackers (OR bread crumbs)
One 6-ounce can tomato soup, undiluted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat deep dish pie plate with vegetable cooking spray and set aside.
Over medium-high heat, brown meat and onion and peppers. Drain. Stir in oregano, taco seasoning, salt, black pepper, cracker crumbs, and soup. Pour into greased pie plate. Set aside.
Cheese Topping:
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any variety you might like)
In a small bowl mix together the egg, milk, salt, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cheese. Pour over the burger mixture, spreading cheese to cover the top completely.
Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is set and golden. Makes 10 servings.
Per serving: 293 Cal; 20g Protein; 16g Tot Fat; 6g Carb; 0g Fiber; 2g Sugar; 297mg Sodium
0 comments
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green papper
1 tablespoon olive oil (use ONLY if you are using veggie meat)
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
1/3 cup crushed cheese or buttery crackers (OR bread crumbs)
One 6-ounce can tomato soup, undiluted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat deep dish pie plate with vegetable cooking spray and set aside.
Over medium-high heat, brown meat and onion and peppers. Drain. Stir in oregano, taco seasoning, salt, black pepper, cracker crumbs, and soup. Pour into greased pie plate. Set aside.
Cheese Topping:
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any variety you might like)
In a small bowl mix together the egg, milk, salt, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and cheese. Pour over the burger mixture, spreading cheese to cover the top completely.
Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is set and golden. Makes 10 servings.
Per serving: 293 Cal; 20g Protein; 16g Tot Fat; 6g Carb; 0g Fiber; 2g Sugar; 297mg Sodium
3 Days POST-OP
Jan 30, 2011
Good morning friends...
Today marks my 3rd day Post-Op. I'm feeling decent this morning. I still am having some incision pains, and some pesky gas pains, but those will go away soon enough. As you all know, Friday was my surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room I had a CPAP mask on (which they told me was normal).. but I was in a world of hurt! I was in and out for a while, but finally I was able to stay awake and they took off the mask. Eventually I was brought back to my room, where my mom already was. My surgery was at about 1:15pm, and I was back in to Recover by 2:15pm I believe. However, I didn't get back to my room until just before 5:30pm. That's when I was in the most pain. It hurt so bad... I was finally given a pain killer and that helped. It wasn't until later on in the night, well more like early Saturday that I started to feel better, but I was still in pain.
The doctor came by around 11am to check on my mom and I. He asked if I was still in any pain - and I was so he recommended I stay another night in the hospital which I was perfectly fine with. I was NOT ready to go home. However, my mom was feeling pretty good and ended up being discharged Saturday. She left the hospital around 1:30pm. I was in and out of sleep all day so I didn't really see her when she left. We did share a room at the hospital, so that was nice. I missed her when she left!
By Saturday evening I was feeling better, and so they had me get a shower. After that shower I felt SO GOOD. GET A SHOWER AT THE HOSPITAL!! No matter how much you don't wanna get one, just do it! It helps you feel so much better.
About 11am on Sunday the doctor came by again and he said he could tell I was feeling better and told me I was going to be discharged. I was happy. :) I ended up leaving the hospital around 1pm. I was given 3 prescriptions, so since we were an hour from home, we just went right to the pharmacy before coming home. The ride home was tough at times, but it did help with the gas pains, because it helped me fart! I've never been so happy to fart, lol. It eases the pain a lot better then burping.
Oh another thing... the day of surgery I weighed 303lbs... when I got home from surgery I weighed myself and I was 303.8. THAT'S NORMAL. Don't be alarmed if you weigh more when you get home, then you did the day of surgery. It's from all the gas and what not.
Well, I could type for days, but will end this here. Perhaps I will write more tomorrow.
-Danielle
1 comment
Today marks my 3rd day Post-Op. I'm feeling decent this morning. I still am having some incision pains, and some pesky gas pains, but those will go away soon enough. As you all know, Friday was my surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room I had a CPAP mask on (which they told me was normal).. but I was in a world of hurt! I was in and out for a while, but finally I was able to stay awake and they took off the mask. Eventually I was brought back to my room, where my mom already was. My surgery was at about 1:15pm, and I was back in to Recover by 2:15pm I believe. However, I didn't get back to my room until just before 5:30pm. That's when I was in the most pain. It hurt so bad... I was finally given a pain killer and that helped. It wasn't until later on in the night, well more like early Saturday that I started to feel better, but I was still in pain.
The doctor came by around 11am to check on my mom and I. He asked if I was still in any pain - and I was so he recommended I stay another night in the hospital which I was perfectly fine with. I was NOT ready to go home. However, my mom was feeling pretty good and ended up being discharged Saturday. She left the hospital around 1:30pm. I was in and out of sleep all day so I didn't really see her when she left. We did share a room at the hospital, so that was nice. I missed her when she left!
By Saturday evening I was feeling better, and so they had me get a shower. After that shower I felt SO GOOD. GET A SHOWER AT THE HOSPITAL!! No matter how much you don't wanna get one, just do it! It helps you feel so much better.
About 11am on Sunday the doctor came by again and he said he could tell I was feeling better and told me I was going to be discharged. I was happy. :) I ended up leaving the hospital around 1pm. I was given 3 prescriptions, so since we were an hour from home, we just went right to the pharmacy before coming home. The ride home was tough at times, but it did help with the gas pains, because it helped me fart! I've never been so happy to fart, lol. It eases the pain a lot better then burping.
Oh another thing... the day of surgery I weighed 303lbs... when I got home from surgery I weighed myself and I was 303.8. THAT'S NORMAL. Don't be alarmed if you weigh more when you get home, then you did the day of surgery. It's from all the gas and what not.
Well, I could type for days, but will end this here. Perhaps I will write more tomorrow.
-Danielle
TODAY!!
Jan 27, 2011
Hey everyone! Today is my big day! I can't believe it. I have to be at the hospital in just less then 2 hours... we (my family) came up last night and stayed in a hotel, since we lived about an hour away, and this hotel is 5 minutes away, lol. It makes it easier and less stressful as far as having to get up too early and drive and worry about getting there on time.
I'm SUPER nervous, really excited and a little scared! I know those are all normal emotions to be feeling right now. I've been on a clear liquid diet for the past 4 days (well today is my 4th day) but you can't have anything to drink today.. nothing as of midnight. It's actually caused me to lose about 9 pounds! I had gained 2 pounds, so I'm glad that I lost weight too because I'm sure they will be weighing me at the hospital.
So official starting weight at the surgeons office: 309.4
Official starting weight day of surgery: 303
Goal weight: 155
Eeeek! I'm excited :)
I will post an update again when I can. I may or may not have my laptop with me in the hospital as my husband will have it at the hotel. I might have him bring it to me for a little bit :)
Okay, well see ya'll on the losers bench!
2 comments
I'm SUPER nervous, really excited and a little scared! I know those are all normal emotions to be feeling right now. I've been on a clear liquid diet for the past 4 days (well today is my 4th day) but you can't have anything to drink today.. nothing as of midnight. It's actually caused me to lose about 9 pounds! I had gained 2 pounds, so I'm glad that I lost weight too because I'm sure they will be weighing me at the hospital.
So official starting weight at the surgeons office: 309.4
Official starting weight day of surgery: 303
Goal weight: 155
Eeeek! I'm excited :)
I will post an update again when I can. I may or may not have my laptop with me in the hospital as my husband will have it at the hotel. I might have him bring it to me for a little bit :)
Okay, well see ya'll on the losers bench!
APPROVED!
Jan 19, 2011
Today I got the call I've been waiting for.... My insurance has APPROVED me for surgery! It was my last "obstacle" I needed to pass before I could receive surgery. I am so excited! I think I might've screamed when I was on the phone with the lady that called me, lol, but she was happy for me, and told me she knew it would make my day. I love my surgeon's office! They are so awesome!
This call also came on the day I went to my Pre-Admission appointment at the hospital. I found out that I will be having surgery at 12:30pm next Friday 1/28, but that I need to arrive at 8:30am, because they need to get me started on an IV and what not. My mom will be having surgery right before me - though she needs to arrive at 6:15am and her surgery is at 10:15am - so I will have a bit of a wait before I actually go in and get started.
All my vitals were normal, like my pulse, BP, and oxygen levels. Then of course I had to go get MORE blood work done. I have really bad arms (so I've been told my phlebotomists (sp?)) They really have to search to find a good vein. One of the ladies thought she had a good one but after she got the needle in, she had to move the needle around a few times and that hurt so bad! (I'm such a baby, hah). Then thankfully there was another lady there and she tried my right arm and was able to get me on the first shot.
Also, my mom has been in contact with one of the Nurse manager's over at the hospital where we will be having surgery, so we were able to go over there and finally meet her, and she's super nice! She gave us a tour of the Bariatric unit, as well as showed us where we need to go when we arrive for surgery.
All in all it was an excellent day!
1 comment
This call also came on the day I went to my Pre-Admission appointment at the hospital. I found out that I will be having surgery at 12:30pm next Friday 1/28, but that I need to arrive at 8:30am, because they need to get me started on an IV and what not. My mom will be having surgery right before me - though she needs to arrive at 6:15am and her surgery is at 10:15am - so I will have a bit of a wait before I actually go in and get started.
All my vitals were normal, like my pulse, BP, and oxygen levels. Then of course I had to go get MORE blood work done. I have really bad arms (so I've been told my phlebotomists (sp?)) They really have to search to find a good vein. One of the ladies thought she had a good one but after she got the needle in, she had to move the needle around a few times and that hurt so bad! (I'm such a baby, hah). Then thankfully there was another lady there and she tried my right arm and was able to get me on the first shot.
Also, my mom has been in contact with one of the Nurse manager's over at the hospital where we will be having surgery, so we were able to go over there and finally meet her, and she's super nice! She gave us a tour of the Bariatric unit, as well as showed us where we need to go when we arrive for surgery.
All in all it was an excellent day!
